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LETTER TO HER FATHER

p 12-13 May, 1942

p Dear Dad,

p You are a man and must take everything that comes as a man. I have one chance in a hundred of getting out alive. Sergei isn’t to blame-he’s done all he could to save me.

p I’m not writing in a scatter-brained mood. I’ve given it a lot of thought. As long as my breath holds out I shan’t give up hope. But if I die, this is my last wish: mum, I know, won’t get over my death, but you must live and get revenge whenever you can.

p From here, from the very heart of fascism, I clearly see what this craven bestiality actually is.

p I’m not afraid of death, but I want, if there is no other way out, to die by my own hand. That is why I appeal to all that you hold sacred, to your love for me-to bring me some opium today-we have some at home in a bottle, exactly the amount I need, no more no less, so as not to miss.

p I know you’ll do it for the love of me. Don’t forget I’m not scatter-brained and won’t do anything rash. Pour it into a phial and put it in a loaf. Better in a pot of soup, I can tip the soup out.

p I’ll do my duty-I shan’t implicate any innocent people and, if need be, I’ll die bravely.

p But, to release me from my torturers, get it to me today, while you can still visit me, a fatal dose of opium or morphia -I realise you know best so be a good dad so that I don’t have to surfer any more. By 5 o’clock I’ll be taken down to the prison where you can see me.

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p Let my friends know I’m confident my death will be avenged. Valya is a traitress, she split on me and Sergei. Sergei’s a good lad. Don’t forget to let them know all this.

p My every word is my last wish and my mind will be at peace if I find you’ve done everything.

p I still have hope, but my decision stands firm if all hope fades. Don’t tell mum anything for the time being.

p Love to you all from the bottom of my heart.

Greetings to friends 

LETTER HOME

p May 20, 1942

p Greetings to you all at home, 

p I cannot write much but want to send you all my best regards. I’m quite all right here. I get all the things you send in, except scent. If you want to send me something-scent or cigarettes-bring it to the prison where there’s less control.

p My chances of getting out of here are very, very slim. I shan’t give up all hope of course, if I manage it I’ll get out. But I shan’t buy my life at the price of treachery. After all we only die once and life isn’t all that is worthwhile these days, I see it very clearly here.

p I’m very, very sorry I have to cause you so much worry. Believe you me, I’ve never forgotten you and never shall.

p I get enough to eat with the food you send, but bread is short.... Why, dad, didn’t you send what I asked? You know I’ve never done anything rash and never lose my head.

p Now I feel alright and keep worrying only about you. Don’t forget, Sergei is not in any way, not in the slightest, to blame -he did all he could and more even to save me. It’s the circumstances that are to blame, they don’t meet our wishes.

p I suppose I made a stupid mistake in telling about the Y.C.L. Well, it can’t be helped. Now, naturally, I’m looking for a way of getting out (except treachery). They treat me well, decently, better than the others. But that’s nothing to goby.

Lots of love to you all. Love to Mum, Dad, Verochka, Glafira, Anyuta, Lelya and Igor.

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LETTER HOME

p May 23, 1942

p My dear ones,

p I’m very sorry I have to grieve you so. And I’m very sorry you don’t understand me at all. My life just couldn’t be any different in these circumstances. So it’s necessary for death to bring some kind of good. Remember the cost of “repentance”? Futile humility blotting out the past, and it won’t save lives anyway.

p Dad, we were really together the whole day September 17. They’re very crafty here. How could you, a grown man, be so trusting. You can give me away completely by being too trusting. They use the most subtle means of getting what they want. It wasn’t out of humanism they let you see me. It’s impossible to describe it. You have to be here and see it all to be convinced with your own eyes.

p I have, and believe this, from what they say, a very small chance of getting out of here, and I’ll do all I can to make use of it. And as far as treachery goes-that’s another method they use. I’ve read Sergei’s testimony-he didn’t give me away, not by a single word.

p By trying to cause trouble between us they aim at doing more damage. I signed the testimony. It’s just as well I know a bit of German. What about those who don’t? And you believe these people.... You shouldn’t. I shall naturally try to keep alive. But if I don’t succeed, you must get revenge for me. I’m not afraid to die-everyone has to die some time. But if I have to die, it’s going to be the way the maximum good conies out of it. Just believe me and not them. I’m fighting for my life and know what I’m doing; it’s easier for me here to see what to do than for you on the outside. I am no child and could have proved it to you.

p Lots of love to all of you from the bottom of my heart.

Lyalya

LETTER HOME

p May 24-25, 1942

p Dear Mum, Dad, Verochka and Glafira,

p Today, tomorrow-I don’t know when-they are going to shoot me because I cannot go against my conscience, because I am a Komsomol girl. I’m not afraid to die. I shall die calmly.

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p I know full well that I cannot get out of here. Believe me I’m not writing in a hot-headed way. I’m quite cool and collected. Love and many kisses to you all for the last time. I’m not lonely and I feel a lot of love and concern around me. It’s not so terrible to die.

p Love to you all from the bottom of my heart.

Lyalya

p Yelena Ubiivovk was a Y.C.L. member and student at Kharkov University. The war found her in Poltava.

p During the occupation of Poltava several young people’s underground organisations were formed.

p Yelena set up an underground group which started up with nine Y.C.L. members. Together with her companions she collected weapons and conducted anti-fascist propaganda among the townsmen. The underground workers managed to get in contact with a partisan unit under the command of Zharov who was operating in the woods. The Y.C.L.-ers began to regularly take down news from Moscow over the radio and put out leaflets on behalf of the partisans. In six months they had circulated over two thousand leaflets. The group grew to twenty.

The young patriots used to lend a hand to the p.o.w.s in a Poltava prison camp, supplying them with civilian clothing and food. They helped eighteen prisoners escape and get through to the partisans. The Y.C.L. group was preparing for a suitable moment to instigate an armed uprising in Poltava.

Yelena Ubiivovk

p Due to too much trust in the townspeople, the group was uncovered. On May 6, 1942, the leading members were arrested and tortured.

Yelena Ubiivovk was interrogated twenty-six times. On May 26, before sunset, after bravely withstanding all kinds of torture Yelena Ubiivovk, Sergei Sapega, Boris Serga, Sergei Ilyevsky, Valentin Soroka and Leonid Puzanov were shot beyond the Poltava town cemetery. Before she died Yelena managed to get four letters smuggled out of the Gestapo dungeon to her parents.